London 2012: 6 Track Stars Who Looked Olympic-Ready at Prefontaine Classic

It was billed as one of the premier invitational track meets in the world.

Consider the venue—Eugene, Oregon's Hayward Field.

Then, the participants—86 international athletes who have won 123 Olympic or World Championships gold medals.

Finally, the results—10 world-leading marks, multiple new meet and stadium records, countless personal-bests and an American record to boot (women's hammer).

Last weekend's Samsung Diamond League/Prefontaine Classic track and field meet exceeded its billing and in the process, identified—by virtue of their dominant performances—several athletes who might as well board the Olympic train and head for London today.

Of course, there is the matter of surviving each one's respective Olympic trials—and avoiding injury. But given the quality of elites left in their dust at the Pre meet, those are but minor details.

Here are six athletes whose fitness level and competitive edge already appear to be right on track for Olympic finals competition.

Asbel Kiprop, Kenya, 1,500-Meters

In the featured race at the Prefontaine Classic, the Bowerman Mile, the expected grudge match between Kenya's dynamic mid-distance duo, Asbel Kiprop and Silas Kiplagat, did not play out.

Kiplagat got stuck in traffic, finishing 13th in three minutes, 53.73 seconds while his countryman seemingly cruised to a world-leading win in 3:49.40.

Kiprop simply exuded an aire of total control throughout the race, looking as if he were leaving plenty of fuel in the tank for future travels.

The Bowerman itself, the meet's finale, gave the crowd of nearly 13,000-something to savor as it departed the hallowed grounds of Hayward. All 16 runners who finished the race dipped below the four-minute mark, 14 of those under 3:55.

Definitely look for Kiprop's long, easy stride in the 1,500-meter finals in Olympic Stadium.

Update - June 8, 2012: - Kiprop lowered his world-leading time in the Dream Mile at the Oslo Diamond League meet yesterday, again almost cruising to a 3:49.22.

Turinesh Dibaba, Ethiopia, 5 and 10,000-Meters

Do not be fooled by Turinesh Dibaba's fawn-like and shy countenance off the track.

She has the heart of a lioness.

In Friday night's women's 10,000-meters—a race in which she had requested a torrid sub-30 minute pace—she fought through the rain and visible pain from stomach cramps to hold off Florence Kiplagat (Kenya) and Beleynesh Oljira (Ethiopia) for a world-leading 30 minutes, 24.39 seconds win.

Not the time she wanted, but the conditions saddled her like a thoroughbred's handicap.

The still-excellent time virtually guarantees Dibaba an Olympic slot on the Ethiopian team.

And her best distance may be the 5K!

Oh well. We can never see too much of this little fireball in London.

Liu Xiang, China, 110-Meter Hurdles

The very tailwind which is claimed to give a sprinter an advantage ultimately hindered 2004 Olympic hurdles champion Liu Xiang.

It also denied him a share of Dayron Robles' world record (12.87 seconds), being slightly over the allowable limit.

The extra push from a 2.4 meters-per-second tailwind messed up Liu's timing between the third and sixth hurdle, yet he still managed to smoke a world-class field—minus the Cuban defending Olympic champion Robles, who missed his flight to Eugene due to visa problems.

Liu's 12.87 wind-aided time will be disallowed, but the convincing manner of his victory places him firmly at the top of the 110-meter hurdles' elite list.

In fate's whimsical fashion, the world just might get an Olympic re-do of the showdown it was denied in Beijing, 2008.

Be there, Robles.

Mo Farah, United Kingdom, 5,000-Meters

It was obvious that training partners (under the tutelage of former distance great Alberto Salazar) Mohamed Farah (UK) and Galen Rupp (USA) were working together in this great 5,000-meter race in Eugene.

But when the competitive juices are flowing and the finish line approaches, even good friends will not concede victory.

In the thrilling final lap of the men's 5K, Farah, Rupp and Kenyan Isiah Koech broke from the pack.

Farah withstood the challenge first from Rupp, then Koech, and won in a sprint down the home stretch in 12 minutes, 56.98 seconds.

When the dust had settled, the trio had recorded the top-three times in the world, all dipping below the 13-minute barrier.

Koech is a perennial challenger and always a threat.

Rupp improves with every race and is just coming into his own as an elite distance runner.

Farah simply defines the 5K.

Can you imagine the daunting task of beating him on his home turf? Forget about it.

Milcah Chemos, Kenya, 3,000-Meters Steeplechase

She quietly rules an event that seldom gets TV or newspaper coverage.

But those within the sport know...

Her finishing time was nine minutes, 13.69 seconds, another world-leader.

She broke the Prefontaine Classic and Hayward Field records.

She pulled the top-five finishers to the top-six times in the world.

She has a personal best of 9:08.57.

She'll be waiting for us in London.

Those within the sport know...

Update - June 8, 2012 - At the Bislett Diamond League meet in Oslo yesterday, Chemos again lowered her world-leading time—and established a new African national record—as she crossed the line in 9:07.14.

LaShawn Meritt, USA, 400-Meters

For LaShawn Merritt, a lot of water has gone under the bridge in four years.

But now, Merritt is right back where he left off after winning 400-meter gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In Eugene, he reversed the outcome of his narrow loss to Kirani James (Grenada) at last year's World Championships by surging to the lead in the final 30 meters and winning in 44.91 seconds.

James, running under protest after a false start, was nipped at the line (45.24). The disqualification was upheld after review.

The 400 field was Olympic finals-quality, and Merritt demonstrated cool, calm control—as a champion should.

Plus, he has simply been the most dominant and consistent 400 runner in early 2012. Last weekend, he showed he is ready to defend his Olympic crown.

Next Diamond League meet is in Oslo, June 7.

View complete Prefontaine Classic results here.

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